Black and red demonic energy covered Tang Sui, isolating the floating, hazy golden mist. It was as if the mist, upon contact with the demonic energy, vanished without a trace, greedily consumed by the all-devouring power.
To Tang Sui, the golden mist that scattered on the steps was like jam added to delicious pastries, making the food sweeter and more flavorful.
Sixty-two... sixty-four...
Sixty-five!
"Fifth Spirit Ability, Cycle of Rebirth."
A black light flashed in Tang Sui's eyes, her own buffs reaching another level. Her previously heavy, slow steps instantly became lighter. The others, also receiving buffs, looked up but remained still, watching Tang Sui with eyes that said, "Mom, look, someone's cheating."
Inside the Sea God's Hall, Bo Saixi and the attendant's expressions grew solemn.
"She's already passed the seventy-first step... and her speed hasn't slowed down. Truly... a terrifying talent. This is only the first day of the trial," the attendant murmured.
Bo Saixi watched Tang Sui, her expression unreadable. The young woman's face remained impassive, only a few beads of sweat appearing on her forehead as she continued to climb. The hand holding the scepter of power tightened slightly.
In terms of talent, the youth chosen by the Sea God, named Tang San, was perhaps one in a thousand. At such a young age, he already possessed three spirit bones, an external spirit bone, dual domains, and that peculiar blackening transformation, all while being a Spirit Emperor.
Yet, before this young girl, even Tang San paled in comparison. She was even more exceptional than Tang Chen in his prime.
A strange light flickered in Bo Saixi's eyes.
Attaining divinity...
Could their Sea God Island witness the birth of another powerful deity?
If she could obtain some of that merit, would she have a little more time to wait for that person?
The attendant was unaware of Bo Saixi's thoughts.
Even with extremely unscientific spirit power, the world operated on cause and effect.
For the Sea God Poseidon, although he had been slightly manipulated, if Tang Sui succeeded, he would be recognized as a "guiding god," gaining immense merit. This would revitalize his weakening power, allowing him to endure longer until the next Sea God was born, and the residual power of Sea God Island could last even longer.
Others who witnessed the birth of a new god and offered aid and goodwill during their ascension would also receive a reward of merit.
This merit, though seemingly small, could alter the future.
It could lead to breakthroughs in cultivation, sudden wealth, or extraordinary luck, among other possibilities.
As the Great Enshrinement of the Sea God, the more Bo Saixi was involved, the greater her reward.
Even a trace of merit would be enough to elevate Bo Saixi's power to a higher level, or grant her more strength to achieve her goals.
Therefore, helping Tang Sui achieve divinity was a win-win situation.
At the starting point, Dai Mubai, who had opened his eyes after meditating and breaking through, had already done so.
The orange-red sunset spread across the sea, casting long, fading shadows.
But the hazy golden light on the steps remained undimmed, like a lighthouse in the vast darkness, guiding the lost.
"...How many levels?"
Oscar gazed at the small figure, his voice strained.
Tang San, who had painstakingly counted the steps from bottom to top using his Purple Demon Eyes, pursed his lips. "She's already at eighty-eight levels..."
"Eighty-eight levels in a day... Sui Sui isn't human!" Ma Hongjun gasped.
Dai Mubai also looked silently at Tang Sui, who had spent the entire day climbing without stopping, and sighed heavily.
Truly a 'roller,' he thought. Fortunately, he hadn't been completely 'rolled' over.
"Eighty-eight levels? It looks like Sui Sui hasn't reached her limit yet?" Xiao Wu murmured. The others fell silent, then focused on the swaying figure still moving forward.
A black mask surrounded Tang Sui, who was stuck at the eighty-ninth step.
The next second, she took a deep breath, and the seventh crimson spirit ring flashed with blood-red light.
"Seventh Spirit Ability, Martial Soul True—cough!"
The light of the seventh spirit ring dimmed. The Martial Soul True Body was forced to interrupt. Tang Sui, whose energy consumption in an offensive state had reached an extremely terrifying level, couldn't suppress the churning blood within her and coughed out a mouthful of blood. The bones in her limbs were under immense pressure, reaching their limit.
"Let's stop here for today. This is your current limit."
The system spoke up at the opportune moment. The other masks also began to persuade Tang Sui to stop.
Tang Sui raised her hand and wiped the blood from her lips with the back of her hand. She exhaled hot breath, carrying a strong metallic scent, and replied, 'I haven't reached my limit. It's just that I didn't plan my spirit abilities and power usage properly when climbing the previous steps, which is why my seventh spirit ability doesn't have enough spirit power to be fully unleashed.'
Tang Sui began to reflect on her actions but had no intention of continuing further.
Because, just as she was beginning her self-critique, it was today's limit, but not tomorrow's.
She released her clenched fist, pushed off the steps with her feet, and leaned back. Her toes left the steps, and in the startled eyes of the Shrek Seven Devils, she wasn't blasted away. Instead, she floated like a dandelion seed caught in a strong wind, rising and eventually landing in a corner, or taking root in the soil, surviving tenaciously.
"Sui Sui!"
The group rushed over, especially Xiao Wu, who nervously held Tang Sui's shoulders, checking her all over.
Tang San calmly produced a bottle of essence-strengthening pills from his Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night and handed it to Tang Sui.
Tang Sui accepted the porcelain bottle without hesitation, removed the wooden stopper, took out three pills, and swallowed them directly.
"You scared me! I thought you were blown away!" Xiao Wu said, her eyes brimming with concern as she looked at the lingering bloodstains on Tang Sui's lips.
Tang San, also noticing the bloodstains, tapped his waist. A small waterskin appeared and he handed it to Tang Sui.
Simultaneously, Ning Rongrong pulled out a handkerchief from her spirit tool and offered it to Tang Sui.
Tang Sui accepted everything, uncorked the waterskin, and drank heartily.
Then, she took the handkerchief from Ning Rongrong and wiped the bloodstains from her mouth, her eyes sparkling. "I'm fine, really."
"Sui Sui, you should meditate and cultivate quickly. Don't waste the results of enduring this pressure," Tang San said, interrupting his excited sister as she seemed eager to say more, reminding her to cultivate.
Tang Sui paused, casually suppressed her excitement, walked to the side, found a spot of ground not covered by tree shadows, and sat down to begin cultivating.
'Yes, if the moon comes out tonight, I can directly bask in it. Perfect.'
---
Guess how many steps Sui Sui will climb?
Guess correctly for an extra chapter! (This "reward" is valid until the answer is announced.)
Winter is coming. I've grown a parrot on my hand recently, so I can't type properly anymore e=(´o｀*)))